Side airbag for a motor vehicle

• US 8,276,937 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2009
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Rick, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coker, Robert A
• Application Number:
  US12/637,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20100148477A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/743.1, 280/743.2, 280/749
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23308 the individual compartments defining the external shape of the bag
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2334 Expansion control features

Abstract

A side airbag is provided for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger automobile, having an airbag and tensioner for stretching out the unfolded airbag. The tensioner has a peripheral, fillable tensioning frame.

Claims

1. A side airbag for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an airbag;

a tensioner adapted to stretch-out the airbag in an unfolded configuration; and

a peripheral and fillable tensioning frame adapted for the tensioner, wherein the tensioning frame comprises a first elasticity and the airbag has a second elasticity that is less than the first elasticity.

2. The side airbag according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning frame expands in a radial direction upon filling and shortens in an axial direction between a plurality of fastening points that are spaced apart in a vehicle longitudinal direction in order to stretch out the airbag.

3. The side airbag according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning frame is fastened to an outer edge of the airbag.

4. The side airbag according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning frame comprises a first transverse contraction and the airbag has a second transverse contraction that is less than the first transverse contraction.

5. The side airbag according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning frame is implemented with a plurality of parts and comprises a filling hose and a casing that encloses the filling hose.

6. The side airbag according to claim 5, wherein the casing is produced as at least a single-layer from a plurality of fine filaments.

7. The side airbag according to claim 5, wherein the casing is implemented as a net-like casing.

8. The side airbag according to claim 5, further comprising a constriction link that comprises a ring, a tuck, and/or a woven constriction.

9. The side airbag according to claim 8, wherein the tensioning frame comprises a plurality of multiple constriction links with a spacing ratio that differ from one another.

10. The side airbag according to claim 8, wherein the tensioning frame comprises a plurality of multiple constriction links with a diameter ratio that differ from one another.

11. The side airbag according to claim 5, further comprising a constriction link that comprises a ring.

12. The side airbag according to claim 5, further comprising a constriction link that comprises a tuck.

13. The side airbag according to claim 5, further comprising a constriction link that comprises a woven constriction.

14. The side airbag according to claim 1, wherein an upper area of the tensioning frame, in a filled state, is situated in an area of a roof-side vehicle body structure.

15. The side airbag according to claim 14, further comprising an additional fillable protective chamber that is situated in a lateral roof area in the filled state.

16. A side airbag module, comprising:

a gas generator;

a side airbag comprising;

a tensioner adapted to stretch-out the side airbag in an unfolded configuration; and

a peripheral and fillable tensioning frame adapted for the tensioner, wherein the tensioning frame comprises a first elasticity and the airbag has a second elasticity that is less than the first elasticity; and

a filling tube adapted to fill the tensioning frame of the side airbag through the gas generator.

17. The side airbag module according to claim 16, further comprising a second filling tube adapted to fill the tensioning frame of the side airbag through the gas generator.

18. A side airbag for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an airbag;

a tensioner adapted to stretch-out the airbag in an unfolded configuration; and

a peripheral and fillable tensioning frame adapted for the tensioner, wherein the tensioning frame is fastened to the airbag along an entire outer edge thereof.